Methods and devices for multi-spectral imaging

Abstract

An imaging system includes a first optical system configured to receive an imaging beam from a surgical region. The imaging beam including a first wavelength band and a second wavelength band. The imaging beam is directed along a first optical axis. The first optical system includes a dichroic beam splitter, and the first optical system is configured to direct a first optical beam associated with the first wavelength band along a first direction and direct a second optical beam associated with the second wavelength band along a second direction. The imaging system also includes a first sensor located along the first direction and configured to capture a first image associated with the first optical beam. The image system further includes a first relay lens system located along the second direction downstream from the first optical system and configured to receive the second optical beam.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An imaging system comprising:
 a first optical system configured to receive an imaging beam from a surgical region, the imaging beam including a first wavelength band and a second wavelength band, wherein the imaging beam is directed along a first optical axis,
 wherein the first optical system includes a dichroic beam splitter, the first optical system is configured to direct a first optical beam associated with the first wavelength band along a first direction and direct a second optical beam associated with the second wavelength band along a second direction; 
   a first sensor located along the first direction and configured to capture a first image associated with the first optical beam;   a first relay lens system located along the second direction downstream from the first optical system and configured to receive the second optical beam at a first end of the first relay lens system and transmit at least a portion of the second optical beam via a second end of the first relay lens system; and   a second sensor located downstream from the first relay lens system and adjacent to the second end of the first relay lens system, wherein the second sensor is configured to capture a second image associated with the second optical beam.   
     
     
         2 . The imaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the first optical system, the first sensor, the first relay lens system and the second sensor are located at a distal end of a surgical scope device. 
     
     
         3 . The imaging system of  claim 2 , wherein the surgical scope device is configured to receive the imaging beam in the surgical region and guide the imaging beam to the first optical system. 
     
     
         4 . The imaging system of  claim 2 , wherein the surgical scope device is a stereo scope. 
     
     
         5 . The imaging system of  claim 2 , wherein the surgical scope device is one of an endoscope and a laparoscope. 
     
     
         6 . The imaging system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one optical element in the first optical system is a 45 degree prism, wherein the pentaprism includes the dichroic beam splitter. 
     
     
         7 . The imaging system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one optical element in the first optical system is a pentaprism, wherein the pentaprism includes the dichroic beam splitter. 
     
     
         8 . The imaging system of  claim 7 , wherein the dichroic beam splitter is located at a proximal surface of the pentaprism. 
     
     
         9 . The imaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the first sensor is located at a first image plane and the second sensor is located at a second image plane, wherein a first distance of the first sensor relative to the first optical system is less than a second distance of the second sensor relative to the first optical system. 
     
     
         10 . The imaging system of  claim 1 , wherein a first size of the first image detected by the first sensor is different from a second size of a second image detected by the second sensor. 
     
     
         11 . The imaging system of  claim 1 , wherein an active optical area of the first sensor and an active area of the second sensor are of different sizes. 
     
     
         12 . The imaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction. 
     
     
         13 . The imaging system of  claim 1 , wherein a light source is used to illuminate the object to be imaged. 
     
     
         14 . The imaging system of  claim 13 , wherein the light source includes a plurality of individually selectable narrow or wide wavelength bands. 
     
     
         15 . The imaging system of  claim 14 , wherein the light source includes one or more of lasers, light emitting diodes and incandescent sources configured to generate the narrow or wide wavelength bands. 
     
     
         16 . The imaging system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second optical system configured to receive the imaging beam from the surgical region, wherein the second optical system is configured to direct a third optical beam associated with the first wavelength band along a third direction and direct a fourth optical beam associated with the second wavelength band along a fourth direction;   a third sensor located along the third direction and configured to capture a third image associated with the third optical beam;   a second relay lens system located along the fourth direction downstream from the second optical system and configured to receive the fourth optical beam at a first end of the second relay lens system and transmit at least a portion of the fourth optical beam via a second end of the second relay lens system; and   a fourth sensor located downstream from the second relay lens system and adjacent to the second end of the second relay lens system, wherein the fourth sensor is configured to capture a second image associated with the second optical beam.   
     
     
         17 . An imaging system comprising:
 a first optical system configured to receive an imaging beam from a surgical region, the imaging beam including a first wavelength band and a second wavelength band, wherein the imaging beam is directed along a first optical axis,
 wherein the first optical system includes a dichroic beam splitter, the first optical system is configured to direct a first optical beam associated with the first wavelength band along a first direction and direct a second optical beam associated with the second wavelength band along a second direction; 
   a first sensor located along the first direction and configured to capture a first image associated with the first optical beam;   a second sensor located along the second direction downstream from the first optical module and configured to receive the second optical beam, wherein the second sensor is configured to capture a second image associated with the second optical beam.   
     
     
         18 . A surgical instrument comprising:
 a surgical scope device including a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the distal end of the surgical scope device is configured to be placed in a surgical region; and   an imaging system located in the distal end of the surgical scope device, the imaging system including:
 a first optical system configured to receive an imaging beam from a surgical region, the imaging beam including a first wavelength band and a second wavelength band, wherein the imaging beam is directed along a first optical axis 
 wherein the first optical system includes a dichroic beam splitter, the first optical system is configured to direct a first optical beam associated with the first wavelength band along a first direction and direct a second optical beam associated with the second wavelength band along a second direction; 
   a first sensor located along the first direction and configured to capture a first image associated with the first optical beam;   a first relay lens system located along the second direction downstream from the first optical system and configured to receive the second optical beam at a first end of the first relay lens system and transmit at least a portion of the second optical beam via a second end of the first relay lens system; and   a second sensor located downstream from the first relay lens system and adjacent to the second end of the first relay lens system, wherein the second sensor is configured to capture a second image associated with the second optical beam.   
     
     
         19 . The surgical instrument of  claim 17 , wherein the proximal end of the surgical scope includes a processor configured to receive a first signal representative of the first image detected by the first sensor and receive a second signal representative of the second image detected by the second sensor. 
     
     
         20 . The surgical instrument of  claim 19 , wherein the processor is configured to generate a modified image that includes a superposition of at least a portion of the first image and at least a portion of the second image. 
     
     
         21 . A method comprising:
 receiving, via a first optical system, an imaging beam from a surgical region, wherein the imaging beam includes a first wavelength band and a second wavelength band, and is directed along a first optical axis;   directing, by a dichroic beam splitter, a first optical beam associated with the first wavelength band along a first direction and directing a second optical beam associated with the second wavelength band along a second direction;   capturing a first image associated with the first optical beam, wherein the first image is captured by a first sensor located along the first direction;   receiving the second optical beam by a first relay system located along the second direction downstream from the first optical system, wherein the second optical beam is received at a first end of the first relay lens system, and transmitting at least a portion of the second optical beam via a second end of the first relay lens system; and   capturing a second image associated with the second optical beam, wherein the second image is captured by a second sensor located along the second direction downstream from the first relay lens system and adjacent to the second end of the first relay lens system.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising generating a modified image by at least superposing at least a portion of the first image and at least a portion of the second image.